Boasting in My Infirmities…

 2 Corinthians 11:16-33...

In chapter 10, verse 18 Paul says this about self-commendation.  

For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Clearly, Paul did not want to boast as the false apostles were doing, but Paul was not boasting in himself, but in God.  He was not boasting to protect “his” ministry or “his” good name...Paul was boasting as a means to protect his Corinthian flock from rejecting the true Gospel for a false one. 

Here in verses 16-33 Paul comes back to what he had been speaking of in 10:18 and in Chapter 11:1-6.  As I read, what hit my own heart and gave me pause were verses 28-30.

Read verses 22-30 paying special attention to those three verses...

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.—2 Corinthians 11:22-30

What bothered Paul the most in ALL of his sufferings for the gospel of Jesus Christ, was NOT the physical suffering he faced, but the ever-present mental and emotional burden of concern he felt for the people of God.  Oh, to have a heart like Paul’s...a heart so filled with Christ’s compassion, concern and love for the people in my own life, that it eclipses not only my physical sufferings but also my self-focus...my me, myself and I, thinking.  

Paul knew what he said in verse 30 was true...He could boast and would boast in his infirmity because doing so magnified God’s power which worked in him mightily.  

I didn’t sleep much last night because my own heart was faint and burdened for those I love. Both Paul’s words and example here in Chapter 11 were a good reminder for me this morning to always pray and not lose heart...to boast in my weakness and in my infirmities because that is when the power of Christ’s may rest on me.  God’s word in Romans 8 tells me that the Spirit also helps me in my weaknesses, saying:

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

When I am weak, He is strong. When I don’t know how to pray for the people I love, it’s okay...He does.  I TRULY CAN do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me. 

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.—2 Corinthians 4:7-12

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.—Colossians 1:29

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.—2 Timothy 2:20-21